On August 24th and 25th Schmitt Woodland Hills was the host for an I-Lead Leadership Development program. I-LEAD is available to anyone who works for a LeadingAge Wisconsin member or subscriber. It is preferred that applicants for the program have previous supervisory or leadership experience (formal or informal) and formal education beyond high school that demonstrates a true commitment to self improvement and a passion for leadership growth.

LeadingAge Wisconsin is a leader in senior advocacy, education, and formulation of collaborative strategies, they are committed to advancing the fields of long-term care, assisted living and retirement living. They strive to develop a continuum of elderly care and services that meets the holistic needs of seniors and individuals with a disability in order to encourage maximum independence and enhance quality of life. They serve as a resource for their members, assisting them in problem resolution and providing services and programs to meet their needs. Schmitt Woodland Hills is proud to be a LeadingAge Wisconsin member and an active participant in the I-Lead program.

All application submissions are carefully reviewed to ultimately assemble a diverse class of participants (in terms of life experience, work experience, geography, type of organization, as well as other unique characteristics). A committee of LeadingAge Wisconsin member leaders evaluate applications using a strict set of criteria. Participants will engage in four face-to-face learning experiences, most of which will be held at member communities throughout the state, and which include intimate conversations with aging services leaders and self-exploration of leadership styles through exercises and readings. Participants spend between 10-15 hours per month working on I-LEAD Leadership Development program activities in addition to one hour each month for monthly team conference calls.

The meeting hosted by Schmitt Woodland Hills was the second in this year’s series of four learning experiences and was titled “Empower”. During this two-day experience participants learned the role and value of self and others, learned to appreciate the richness of diversity, to respect the opinions and trust the abilities of others and to work together through differences to drive success.

Schmitt Woodland Hills’ Executive Director Jackie Carley had this to say about the event, “As a Coach with I-LEAD, it is very satisfying to see the participants that are enrolled in this program grow. Every session is also a learning experience for me as well as for those we are coaching. This program is so rewarding for all that are involved with it. It is a true honor to serve as a Coach for this program.”